Podcasts about iowans

A few public safety officers in Iowa will train to identify and detain people in the U.S. without legal status. Federal funding freezes could impact family planning services for low-income Iowans. And an environmental nonprofit and university will examine high cancer rates in Iowa.

Iowa Business Report Friday EditionApr. 18, 2025         Sarah Curry, research director for the Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation, on the "ITR Report Card" released this week, showing each school district in Iowa and the reasonableness of the property tax levy requests made by each.

SEND ME A TEXT MESSAGE NOWThe delicate balance between executive power and judicial oversight comes to a dramatic head as Judge James Boasberg delivers a rare ruling finding probable cause to hold Trump administration officials in criminal contempt. This landmark decision centers on the administration's willful disregard for court orders halting deportation flights to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act. Legal experts characterize such contempt findings against federal officials as "just about unheard of," highlighting the extraordinary nature of the judiciary's pushback against executive overreach.Meanwhile, the democratic disconnect grows increasingly apparent during Congressional recess as Republican lawmakers face their constituents in dramatically different town hall formats. Senator Chuck Grassley confronts direct questioning from Iowans demanding accountability, while Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene opts for a highly controlled environment where she openly mocks written questions from constituents she dismisses as "brainwashed." The stark contrast reveals the widening gulf between citizens seeking answers and representatives avoiding uncomfortable confrontations.Amidst these troubling political developments, a heartwarming story emerges from the Arizona desert where an Anatolian Pyrenees named Buford becomes an unlikely hero. What stories of everyday heroism have given you hope recently? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.And Become A Member Of The WolfPack. It's FREE!AWorldGoneMadPodcast@gmail.com

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson unpack major developments from the Iowa Capitol, including the latest version of the property tax reform bill, the advancement of the two-thirds taxpayer protection amendment, and the political shockwave following Governor Kim Reynolds' announcement that she will not seek reelection in 2026.The conversation begins with a look at the latest legislative updates, including a revised property tax proposal that weakens the original 2% cap by adding an inflation factor and raises the homestead exemption. Chris and John discuss their concerns about the complexity of the changes and whether they truly provide tax relief for Iowans—especially given the absence of full data from the state.They then celebrate the Iowa Senate's passage of the two-thirds supermajority constitutional amendment to raise taxes, a longtime taxpayer protection goal. The amendment's path forward in the Iowa House is promising, and the hosts emphasize its importance for long-term fiscal restraint.The second half of the episode pivots to the 2026 open governor's race following Reynolds' announcement. Chris and John preview what will likely be a crowded Republican primary, mentioning potential candidates including Brenna Bird, Matt Whitaker, Ashley Hinson, Mike Naig, Bobby Kaufmann, Pat Grassley, and Bob Vander Plaats. On the Democratic side, Auditor Rob Sand appears to be consolidating early support.The hosts reflect on Governor Reynolds' legacy—from the flat tax and school choice to budget surpluses and COVID-era leadership—and frame the discussion around what Iowans should look for in the next governor: conviction, courage, electability, and a proven ability to deliver conservative results.

We asked Iowans what it means to be a man in 2025.

For better or worse, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Iowans to adapt.

Senator Sarah Trone Garriott joins Leisa for an insightful conversation about Iowa's legislative climate, from the nuances of school vouchers and budget priorities to the deeper challenges of ensuring effective governance in a fast-changing state. With a deep respect for public service and a commitment to listening across the aisle, Trone Garriott outlines the importance of transparency, balance of power, and sustainable decision-making. She also shares a personal side—how she envisioned Iowa before moving from Virginia, and how her perspective has evolved through public service and life in Waukee. This episode bridges policy, community, and the human side of governance in a way that's accessible and relevant to all Iowans. Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/iowa-legislature-2025-sarah-trone-garriott

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and Sarah Curry give a real-time update on Iowa's local property tax hearings, what they're learning from the numbers coming in, and why taxpayer engagement is more important than ever. They walk through what's happening on the ground during local budget season—and how Iowans can show up and push back on excessive local spending.Sarah shares early results from her county-by-county property tax tracking, highlighting that while some counties like Cass, Cherokee, and Dickinson are cutting year-over-year property tax collections, others—including Lyon, Wapello, and Henry—are proposing double-digit increases. She emphasizes that the real number to watch is not the levy rate, but the actual dollars collected from taxpayers.The conversation covers the common excuses given by local officials, like “there's nothing else to cut” or “you tell us where to cut.” Chris calls out the arrogance of flipping that question back on taxpayers, reminding elected officials that it's their job to make the hard budget decisions—not the public's responsibility to do the math for them.They also tackle the confusion around assessment notices, explain how those differ from the actual property tax bills, and encourage listeners to attend the upcoming budget hearings. Tools and templates from ITRLocal.org are highlighted to help Iowans speak confidently about their concerns, track how much their county is spending, and push for smarter budgeting.

Chris Hagenow, president of Iowans for Tax Relief, and Mike Owen, deputy director of Common Good Iowa discuss taxes and fiscal policy.

Artificial intelligence is being used in an Iowa school for security purposes. Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a law to cut down on distracted driving. And how would a law that protects pesticide companies from cancer lawsuits impact Iowans?

Doug Wagner filling in for Simon Conway during Thursday's second hour.

A recent string of high-dollar financial gifts is continuing at Morningside University in Sioux City.

In this special episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow shares his full remarks from the annual ITR Foundation and NFIB Tax Day Luncheon, delivered before a crowd of engaged Iowans, legislators, and policy leaders in downtown Des Moines. Blending humor, storytelling, and serious policy analysis, Chris sets the stage for the future of Iowa's tax reform movement.The remarks begin with a nod to Iowa's remarkable progress on income tax reform—from a top rate of 8.98% to today's 3.8% flat tax—positioning the state as a national leader in conservative tax policy. Chris pays tribute to Senator Jack Whitver for his pivotal role in making generational tax relief a reality and sets the tone for the next big challenge: property tax reform.He unpacks the latest ITR Foundation poll, showing overwhelming support across party lines for major taxpayer protections:Chris highlights how this public sentiment aligns with the goals of the property tax reform bill led by Senator Dan Dawson and Representative Bobby Kaufmann—a bill that includes spending caps, school funding shifts, and a new homestead exemption. He challenges local governments to stop prioritizing bureaucracy over taxpayers and urges legislators to listen to the voices of everyday Iowans.Closing with a call to action, Chris invites listeners to use ITRLocal.org to track city, county, and school district spending and get engaged at the local level. This episode is a must-listen for those following Iowa's conservative reform movement and looking for insight into what comes next.

Leadership can be as rewarding as it is challenging—especially when you focus on cultivating and motivating people, rather than just “fixing” issues. In this episode, we're joined by international keynote speaker and author Jones Loflin, who shares a human-centered approach to leadership. Learn how embracing a gardener's mindset and viewing team members as individuals first unlocks creativity and resilience that boost performance, productivity, and career growth. Tune in for motivating, real-life examples that will help you tend to your team more effectively—and grow as a leader in the process.Visit Jones' website!Email Jones!Donate to EFR. 1 in 3 Iowans needing mental health care cannot afford it. Your gift enables us to offer counseling to anyone in need regardless of their ability to pay. Thank you for helping us keep our promise to the community: that everyone who needs help, gets help.

Watch this episode ad free by joining the ITBR Patreon and get a free trial for the ITBR Professor level!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom⁠⁠ ⁠⁠To celebrate the SMASH Broadway musical, I am rereleasing all of our SMASH recap episodes!Christian and Andrew discuss the “Pilot” episode of the NBC show Smash that premiered in 2012. Both Christian and Andrew agree that not many podcasts have covered the hit show Smash and there are even less TV show or movie adaptations that focus on the behind-the-scenes productions of Broadway and how it pushed the envelope in terms of storytelling and controversial topics.Christian and Andrew discuss the risky decisions made by the producers to display difficult director/actor relations as well as the difficulty in displaying a battle between two actors fighting for the leading role of Marilyn Monroe who herself was such a complex nuanced person to portray on a Broadway stage.Just to remind you all here's a brief description about the "Pilot” episode:World-renowned songwriting duo Julia Houston and Tom Levitt are inspired to create a new Broadway musical on the life of cultural icon ⁠Marilyn Monroe⁠—instantly attracting the attention of tenacious producer Eileen Rand and brilliant yet temperamental director Derek Wills. As the four search for their leading lady, veteran actress Ivy Lynn becomes obsessed with winning the part and native Iowan waitress Karen Cartwright becomes desperate to make her theatrical dreams a reality.Follow ITBR on IG,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ivorytowerboilerroom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ivorytowerboilerroom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Sponsors:To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠glreview.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Click Subscribe and enter promo code ITBRChoice to get a free issue with a subscription purchase. Follow them on IG,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@theglreview⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠broadviewpress.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠order. Follow them on IG,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@broadviewpress⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow That Ol' Gay Classic Cinema on IG,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thatolgayclassiccinema⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-ol-gay-classic-cinema/id1652125150⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thanks to the ITBR team! Dr. Andrew Rimby (Host and Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), and Christian Garcia (Editor)

Kanzi, a bonobo with a famously incredible understanding of language, passed away at age 44. Then, ways Iowans can contribute to scientific research.

How the COVID-19 pandemic affected the personal and professional lives of Iowans.

As anti-trans policies continue to escalate at the national and state level, local organizing has become a bastion of hope. This week, Imara talks with two leaders working to protect their communities in increasingly hostile environments. First, she's joined by Iowa-based advocate Max Mowitz who unpacks the surprising removal of gender identity protections from the state's civil rights law. They discuss the impact of corporate withdrawal from LGBTQ+ causes and the ways that mutual aid has helped fill the growing financial needs of trans Iowans. Imara then talks with Daroneshia Duncan-Boyd about her 10+ years of experience serving trans women of color in Birmingham, Alabama, plus why she has no time for performative leadership. Subscribe to The Mess: Imara's Guide to Our Political Hellscape on Apple Podcasts.Send your trans joy recommendations to translash_podcast @ translash [dot] org Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X, and Facebook.Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (@imara_jones_), Bluesky (@imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones)Follow our guests on social media!Arya Shae: Instagram (@transaffirmidaho)Max Mowtiz: Instagram (@iowatransmutualaidfund @maxwellhowdy) Daroneshia Duncan-Boyd: Instagram (@daroneshia_duncan)TransLash Podcast is produced by TransLash Media.Translash Team: Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway. Xander Adams is our senior sound engineer and a contributing producer.Morgan Astbury is our social media coordinator. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iowa Business Report Thursday EditionMar. 20, 2025    Chris Hagenow, president of Iowans for Tax Relief, with findings from a poll of Iowans commissioned by the ITR Foundation. 

Thousands of able-bodied Iowans could be required to report work hours to maintain their Medicaid eligibility under bills advancing in the Iowa legislature.

From agriculture funding cuts to a possible shutdown of the Department of Education, changes in the federal government are being felt far and wide.

The Iowa House has passed a bill that would allow legislative members to apply for a professional weapons permit. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is coming to Iowa. And how are some Iowans recovering from long COVID?

Iowans share how they are trying to reduce pollutants in waterways on this archive episode.

The Harkin Institute, a non-partisan think tank established at Drake University, is a leader in developing disability workforce policy.  Daniel Van Sant, Director of Disability Policy, joins the podcast to talk about an international summit the institute held in Washington D.C. and how some of the topics of discussion coming from that summit can help Iowa businesses lead the way on hiring Iowans with disabilities.

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson break down the latest ITR Foundation poll and what it reveals about Iowa voters' priorities. The results show that fiscal issues are more important than ever, with tax policy, government spending, and inflation dominating voter concerns. Surprisingly, issues like illegal immigration and abortion have dropped in importance, possibly reflecting confidence that Trump will address these issues in his second term.Chris and John analyze the overwhelming support for three major fiscal proposals: • A two-thirds majority requirement to raise taxes • Constitutional protection for Iowa's flat tax • A 2% hard cap on local government spending The hosts then shift to the new property tax bill introduced by Senator Dan Dawson and Representative Bobby Kaufmann. The bill includes a 2% cap on city and county spending, and replaces the current rollback system with a new homestead exemption. Chris and John explore how this could impact taxpayers, local governments, and Iowa's long-term fiscal health.Wrapping up, they emphasize that Iowans are demanding structural tax reforms—not just temporary fixes. The hosts praise Iowa's conservative leadership for listening to voters and pushing for meaningful, lasting change.

On today's episode, Alien (aka Stewie Griffin DJ), Josh, and Josiah discuss Iowa by Slipknot, the impact Slipknot had on the Des Moines music scene, and the whole phenomenon of nu metal. Follow today's guest on Bluesky @stewiegriffindj.bsky.socialBecome a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah's work here: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter & Bluesky @josiahwsutton(.bsky.social)ReferencesIowa by SlipknotMetal reference points, Spotify Playlist by Alien, https://open.spotify.com/playlist/51ZEXeFuBuRaNc5fxJZyNG?si=650f89044f644bf4Metal reference points (Expanded Edition), Spotify Playlist by Josh Christianson, https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1i6P8PhjDBgKRWYWz7YzvZ?pi=u-ndlJaf6qQneVAudio creditsThe Heretic Anthem - SlipknotYesterday – bloom.People = Shit - Slipknot ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Curtis Sittenfeld's new short story collection captures both the mess and the gifts of aging. And a new play hopes to start conversations about farmers and rural Iowans.

Austin Frerick is an expert on agricultural and antitrust policy. In 2024, he published his debut book, entitled Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry. The book profiles a series of powerful magnates to illustrate the concentration of power in the global food system. Barons has received universal acclaim, including a coveted starred review from both Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews, and has been named one of the “Best Books of 2024” by the latter. The host of Bloomberg's Odd Lots applauded the book, remarking, "I have come away with a completely different idea of agriculture that I cannot unsee." Frerick previously worked at the Open Markets Institute, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the Congressional Research Service before becoming a Fellow at Yale University. During the 2020 presidential campaign, he advised candidates Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Pete Buttigieg on agricultural policy before ultimately serving as Co-Chair of the Biden campaign's Agriculture Antitrust Policy Committee. He is a 7th generation Iowan and 1st generation college graduate, with degrees from Grinnell College and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He also serves on the Board of Directors as Vice President for Common Good Iowa and as Treasurer for the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project.

Trump may restore Ukraine aid pending confidence-building measures, White House says; Cuts to Medicaid considered to extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts; Iowans react to nation's first law removing gender identity protections; EBT skimming scandal: no reimbursement for Ohioans who lose SNAP benefits.

The White House pauses all military aid to Ukraine as the administration begins turning down the heat on Russia. Plus, the markets plunge as Trump's tariffs on America's allies are set to take effect. And, a look at how Iowans are reacting to high prices under the Trump administration. Jeff Mason, Susan Glasser, Leigh Ann Caldwell, David Drucker, David Gura, Greg Ip, Chris Dols, and Art Cullen join The 11th Hour this Monday.

Agriculture leaders are concerned about a trade war. A student speaks out about the University of Iowa ending identity-based residential communities. And an LGBTQ rights nonprofit says transgender Iowans should prepare now for a state law going into effect in July.

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law on Friday that will remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, making Iowa the first state in the U.S. to do so.

Republican state lawmakers have given final approval to a bill that removes anti-discrimination protections for transgender Iowans. The Board of Regents has ditched plans to create a school focusing on social and cultural analysis at the University of Iowa. And what are herbaria?

The service and sacrifice of Black Americans in defense of the United States is believed to be a driving force in the progress of civil rights over generations.

Jackal and Josiah catch up on some current events. We discuss recent anti-trans legislation in Iowa and the chaos of the first few weeks of the second Trump admin before catching back up with our good friend, Eric Adams.Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah's work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReferencesThumbnail from AP News, taken by Charlie Neibergal, https://apnews.com/article/iowa-civil-rights-code-gender-identity-cf68d2183210133b15a47e526ad2fb0d"Iowa City City Council candidate Oliver Weilein isn't playing it safe," Emma Jane in The Daily Iowan, https://dailyiowan.com/2025/02/25/iowa-city-city-council-candidate-oliver-weilein-isnt-playing-it-safe/Rock Hard Caucus, https://rockhardcauc.us/"Iowans share concerns after masked members of extremist group Patriot Front march in Des Moines," KCCI, https://www.kcci.com/article/iowans-share-concerns-after-masked-members-of-extremist-group-patriot-front-march-in-des-moines/63883874"Iowa GOP fast-tracks bill ending trans civil rights protection as protesters flood Capitol," Stephen Gruber-Miller, Marissa Payne, and Sabine Martin in Des Moines Register, https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/24/transgender-iowans-would-lose-civil-rights-protections-under-house-bill-advances/80008999007/"Bill to remove gender identity from Iowa Civil Rights Act clears Senate subcommittee," Robin Opsahl in Iowa Capitol Dispatch, https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/02/25/bill-to-remove-gender-identity-from-iowa-civil-rights-act-clears-senate-subcommittee/"Iowa protestors rally at Statehouse for second day against bill threatening transgender rights," KCCI, https://www.kcci.com/article/iowa-politics-senate-bill-transgender-civil-rights-act-protests/63923646"Iowa lawmakers rushed through a day of pruning your rights. Here are some." Lucas Grundmeier in Des Moines Register, https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/2025/02/25/iowa-gender-identity-bill-trans-erasure-restricting-rights/80267967007/"Iowa could be first state to revoke transgender rights," Jason Clayworth in Axios, https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/02/26/iowa-transgender-civil-rights-protections-revoke"CPAC Speaker Calls for Eradication of ‘Transgenderism' — and Somehow Claims He's Not Calling for Elimination of Transgender People,"  Peter Wade and Patrick Reis in Rolling Stone (from 2023), https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/cpac-speaker-transgender-people-eradicated-1234690924/"Key takeaways from Donald Trump's first cabinet meeting with Elon Musk," Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/26/key-takeaways-from-donald-trumps-first-cabinet-meeting-with-elon-musk"CPI report: US inflation heats up to 3% for first time since June," Alicia Wallace in CNN, https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/02/12/business/us-cpi-consumer-inflation-january"A Timeline of Eric Adams's Indictment, and What Came Next," New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/article/eric-adams-indictment-timeline.html"New York Mayor Eric Adams seeks permanent dismissal of corruption case," Luc Cohen in Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/legal/new-york-mayor-eric-adams-seeks-permanent-dismissal-corruption-case-2025-02-26/Music & audio creditsYesterday – bloom."CPAC speaker Michael Knowles calls for trans people to be ‘eradicated'," https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74Q5kfikMsUEmpire State of Mind - Jay-Z, Alicia KeysI Wanna Be at the RNC - Nick Lutsko ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Iowa has one of the highest cancer rates in the U.S., but advancements have led to more survivors of cancer.

On Friday, actress and model Hunter Schafer posted an eight-and-a-half minute video on TikTok in which she revealed that the replacement passport she had just received had the gender marker changed from female to male.Ms. Schafer is a trans woman, widely beloved among Gen-Z for her acting—particularly her performance in “Euphoria”—and broadly considered one of the most beautiful women in the world. Over the years, she's modeled for Prada, Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, and many other houses. She came out as a teen girl and has renewed previously with the correct gender marker, with no issues. That means the State Department is either intentionally flagging all American passports with record of a gender marker change and/or they're intentionally cross-referencing passports with birth certificates, some of which are issued by states that ban gender marker changes.Not to mention: the ridiculous complexity for intersex Americans.Florida, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas all prohibit gender marker amendments on birth certificates. Their number will very likely grow by the end of this year. Last week, the Arizona House approved a bill banning residents from amending their birth certificates to reflect their authentic gender identity.I'm worried for all the obvious reasons: the government tracking, the likely surveillance of trans people, the grave risk of an incorrect, “outed” passport for any trans person who needs to travel internationally, the potential for confusion and obstruction over government documents for things like security clearances, etc.That same day, the Bureau of Prisons announced that trans people incarcerated in federal prisons would be moved to facilities that align with their sex assigned at birth, as early as next week. There are nearly 2,300 trans people incarcerated in federal prisons at the moment.Trans women transferred to men's prisons will obviously be at substantially greater risk of violence.The same day—yes, all on Friday—Iowa Republicans announced a bill that, if successful, would remove ‘gender identity' as a protected class in the Iowa Civil Rights Act, thus eliminating anti-discrimination protections for all transgender Iowans. It would make Iowa the first state to remove a protected class from civil rights law.Meanwhile, at the White House—yes, same exact day—Trump was speaking to a large, bipartisan group of governors and went after Maine Gov. Janet Mills from behind his podium.“Is Maine Here? The governor of Maine?”“Yeah, I'm here,” she said from her seat in the audience.“Are you not going to comply with that?” Trump demanded of her, referencing the executive order he signed on Feb. 5th that bans trans girls and young women from competing on girls' and women's sports teams.“I'm complying with the state and federal laws,” she responded.“We are the federal law,” snapped Trump. “You better do it… You better comply , you better comply, because otherwise you're not getting any federal funding.”“See you in court,” she retorted from her seat.“Good,” said Trump. “I'll see you in court. I look forward to that. That should be a real easy one, and enjoy your life after governor, because I don't think you'll be in elected politics.”It was yet another moment Trump attempted to intimidate elected officials across the political spectrum over trans issues. On Saturday, Trump spoke to the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where he took a victory lap for ending “transgender insanity.”“It's all out now — critical race theory and transgender insanity. It's all gone from our schools and from our military and I believe it's gone, too… I believe that it's all gone.”Today, Bill Maher appeared on the “Pod Saves America” podcast and argued with co-host Jon Lovett about trans issues, urging him that Democrats would “lose every election” if they don't give up more on trans equality.Side note here: anti-trans punditry that claims to be offering the “reasonable middle” argument always seems to intensely focus on what they don't want. There is never a good faith framing of what they believe should be legal. There are reasons for that: either they don't actually believe in minimum rights for trans people or they fear being targeted by extremists for offering support for even a modicum of trans equality.The relentless pace of anti-trans actions and rhetoric have become overwhelming.That's how I'm doing.Charlotte's Web Thoughts is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Charlotte's Web Thoughts at charlotteclymer.substack.com/subscribe

The state of Iowa does not have a Department of Government Efficiency, however, Iowa lawmakers began improving government efficiency through a state initiative known as “alignment” more than a year before the American public ever heard of a “DOGE” at the federal level. Common Sense Institute commission a report that evaluates Iowa's 2023 government alignment. Specifically, it identifies the portion of the 2024 tax cuts attributable to the savings from alignment and uses dynamic modeling to forecast its economic impact on the state. That report, titled "Iowa's D.O.G.E.: How state government alignment is retuning money back to Iowans and contributing to the state's economy" can be found here.  By controlling the rate of growth in government, Iowa lawmakers increased state surpluses over the last five years even while cutting taxes and expanding total state spending. During a period when individual income taxes fell from a top marginal rate of 8.98% to a flat rate of 3.8% and the top corporate rate fell from 12% to 7.1%, total state spending rose by nearly 23%. Education and healthcare saw the greatest increases in spending. When revenue growth outpaces the growth in government, the state can increase its revenue and spending even as tax rates fall. State government alignment helped moderate government growth over the last 18 months, resulting in significant savings for the state budget relative to the counterfactual. Chairman and Host Earl Wright welcomes Ben Murrey, Director of Policy and Research, to Common Sense Digest to discuss the report. The two discuss the origins of the program, the reduction in taxes for all Iowans, and how crucial services were maintained (and sometimes expanded), all while eliminating redundancies and cutting budget.   Thank you for listening to Common Sense Digest. Please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. All of our podcasts can be found here.

Iowa Business Report Thursday EditionFeb. 20, 2025     IBR Daily Thursday with Adam Gregg of the Iowa Bankers Association with tips to help Iowans avoid being the victim of financial fraud.

The number of people identifying as Native Americans in the U.S. nearly doubled between 2010 and 2020, according to the U.S. Census.

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson cover a range of hot topics, from anti-Trump protests at the Iowa Capitol and ongoing battles for conservative policy victories in Iowa. The discussion kicks off with the 50501 Protest Movement, which attempted to rally against Trump, DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), and recent conservative reforms. The hosts break down why these protests fail to resonate with everyday Iowans and how the left's political messaging continues to struggle in a state that overwhelmingly supports taxpayer-first policies.The episode also discusses Governor Reynolds' political future, as she hints at a reelection campaign while facing a quixotic primary challenge. The hosts break down Reynolds' record of conservative victories, from tax cuts and school choice to constitutional judicial appointments, and argue why her leadership remains key to Iowa's future.Chris and John also highlight new polling data showing broad public support for cutting government spending, reinforcing why Trump's push to reduce foreign aid and shrink bureaucratic waste aligns with voter sentiment. They also explore a national debate on Social Security, Medicare, and border security funding, showing how Iowans prioritize fiscal responsibility while expecting government efficiency.

Discussing the two most important issues facing Iowans today: drag shows and chemtrails. Call us at (319) 849-8733! Go here for full episode notes: https://www.patreon.com/posts/122430689 https://rockhardcauc.us

From federal indictments to regulatory clashes in the meat industry, investigators are unearthing controversies that could affect everyday Iowans.

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and Sarah Curry break down franchise fees, how they impact Iowa taxpayers, and why cities are increasingly turning to these hidden taxes. They explore how local governments justify new fees under the guise of funding public services while increasing spending on non-essential projects like arts funding and recreational facilities.Sarah explains how Iowans can use ITR Local to track city and county spending, hold officials accountable, and participate in public budget hearings happening in March and April. The hosts discuss a Des Moines Register article on Johnston's proposed 5% franchise fee, highlighting how these fees shift financial burdens from property taxes to utility bills, affecting nonprofits, schools, and businesses.Chris and Sarah also dive into statewide tax issues, including the potential impact of local option sales tax changes and efforts to reform Iowa's tax system. They emphasize taxpayer advocacy, the importance of fiscal responsibility, and strategies to fight against excessive government spending.

With the proliferation of misinformation has come a growing desire to change how we interact with social media in our daily lives.

A northeastern Iowa county sheriff says his office won't help ICE detain residents. The long disputed casino in Cedar Rapids has been approved by state regulators. And what Iowan will be playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday?

Iowa native Luke Stoffel wrote coming-of-age story that blends outrageous schemes, deeply personal moments and sharp cultural critiques in a journey through the 1980s and beyond.

The guys discuss the dark and storied history of a spooky Iowan city, complete with a ghost known as "The Joker"...Edinburgh Manor!!! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3xIATakVt4Q https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g38379-d10662961-Reviews-Edinburgh_Manor-Scotch_Grove_Iowa.html https://www.travelchannel.com/shows/ghost-adventures/episodes/edinburgh-manor https://search.brave.com/search?q=edinburgh+manor+haunted&source=ios&summary=1&conversation=634f6c9e3fcf7725da2944 https://edinburghmanor.wixsite.com/edinburgh https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/iowa/edinburgh-haunted-places-in-iowa-ia

Iowans with disabilities are asking lawmakers to loosen Medicaid income limits so they can advance their careers and get married without losing coverage. An investigation by the state auditor's office found that an Iowa Workforce Development program director embezzled more than $430,000 over a seven year period. And a bill advancing in the Iowa House would prevent in-state tuition hikes of more than 3 percent at Iowa's public universities.